U.S. patent application number 15/193823 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-05 for method and medical imaging apparatus for determining at least one patient-specific safety parameter for a medical imaging examination.
This patent application is currently assigned to Siemens Healthcare GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Siemens Healthcare GmbH. Invention is credited to Gerhard Brinker, Anja Jaeger, Daniel Niederloehner, Stephan Nufer, Jens Thoene.
Application Number | 20170000446 15/193823 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57582799 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170000446 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brinker; Gerhard ; et
al. |
January 5, 2017 |
METHOD AND MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AT LEAST ONE
PATIENT-SPECIFIC SAFETY PARAMETER FOR A MEDICAL IMAGING
EXAMINATION
Abstract
In a method and apparatus for determining at least one
patient-specific safety parameter for a medical imaging examination
conducted on the patient by a medical imaging device, position data
of the patient are acquired by a position data detector while the
patient is on a patient-positioning device of the medical imaging
apparatus. The acquired position data are evaluated in a processor
in order to determine position information of the patient. The
patient-specific safety parameter is determined using the position
information of the patient.
Inventors: |
Brinker; Gerhard; (Erlangen,
DE) ; Jaeger; Anja; (Fuerth, DE) ;
Niederloehner; Daniel; (Erlangen, DE) ; Nufer;
Stephan; (Erlangen, DE) ; Thoene; Jens;
(Nuernberg, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Siemens Healthcare GmbH |
Erlangen |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Siemens Healthcare GmbH
Erlangen
DE
|
Family ID: |
57582799 |
Appl. No.: |
15/193823 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/1128 20130101;
A61B 6/037 20130101; A61B 6/107 20130101; A61B 5/055 20130101; A61B
6/04 20130101; G01R 33/288 20130101; A61B 6/032 20130101; G16H
40/63 20180101; A61B 6/544 20130101; G01R 33/543 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 6/00 20060101
A61B006/00; A61B 6/04 20060101 A61B006/04; A61B 6/03 20060101
A61B006/03; A61B 6/10 20060101 A61B006/10; A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A61B 5/11 20060101 A61B005/11 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2015 |
DE |
102015212206.9 |
Claims
1. A method for determining at least one patient-specific safety
parameter for a medical imaging examination conducted on a patient
by a medical imaging apparatus, said method comprising: with a
position data acquisition detector, acquiring position data of the
patient while the patient is situated on a patient-positioning
device of the medical imaging apparatus; transmitting the acquired
position data to a safety parameter determining processor; in said
safety parameter determining processor, evaluating the acquired
position data to obtain position information of the patient; and in
said safety parameter determining processor, determining a
patient-specific safety parameter using the position information,
and making the patient-specific safety parameter available in
electronic form from the safety parameter determining
processor.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising generating a patient
model as said patient information, and determining the
patient-specific safety parameter using said patient model.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 comprising determining said
patient model as a model selected from the group consisting of an
Active Shape Model and a cylinder model.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising determining said
patient-specific safety parameter as a specific absorption rate of
the patient.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one
patient-specific safety parameter comprises heat radiation on the
patient during said medical imaging examination.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one
patient-specific safety parameter comprises a probability of
collision of the patient with an enclosure of a patient-receiving
region of said medical imaging apparatus.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising visually depicting a
representation of said patient-specific parameter at a depiction
unit in communication with said safety parameter determining
processor.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7 comprising also presenting a
representation of at least one of a work instruction and advice for
conducting the medical imaging examination, at said depiction
unit.
9. A medical imaging apparatus comprising: a medical data
acquisition scanner having a patient-positioning device; a position
data acquisition detector that acquires position data of the
patient while the patient is situated on said patient-positioning
device; a safety parameter determining processor; said position
data acquisition detector being configured to transmit the acquired
position data to said safety parameter determining processor; said
safety parameter determining processor being configured to evaluate
the acquired position data to obtain position information of the
patient; and said safety parameter determining processor being
configured to determine a patient-specific safety parameter using
the position information, and to make the patient-specific safety
parameter available in electronic form from the safety parameter
determining processor.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said position data
acquisition detector comprises at least one camera situated outside
of a patient-receiving region that is at least partially surrounded
by said medical data acquisition scanner.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said position data
acquisition detector comprises at least one camera selected from
the group consisting of 2D cameras and 3D cameras.
12. A non-transitory, computer-readable data storage medium encoded
with programming instructions, said programming instructions being
loaded into a control computer of a medical imaging apparatus that
comprises a position data acquisition detector and a safety
parameter determining processor, said storage medium being encoded
with programming instructions that cause said a position data
acquisition detector and said safety parameter determining
processor to: with said position data acquisition detector, acquire
position data of the patient while the patient is situated on a
patient-positioning device of the medical imaging apparatus;
transmit the acquired position data to the safety parameter
determining processor; in said safety parameter determining
processor, evaluate the acquired position data to obtain position
information of the patient; and in said safety parameter
determining processor, determine a patient-specific safety
parameter using the position information, and make the
patient-specific safety parameter available in electronic form from
the safety parameter determining processor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention concerns a method for determining at
least one patient-specific safety parameter for a medical imaging
examination on the patient, wherein the medical imaging examination
is carried out by a medical imaging apparatus. The present
invention also concerns a medical imaging apparatus having a
scanner designed to acquire medical image data, a
position-detecting unit and a safety parameter determining
processor.
[0003] Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Before a medical imaging examination begins, for example a
magnetic resonance examination, it is necessary for different
patient parameters, such as a patient's height and/or a patient's
weight, to be acquired. By means of these patient parameters,
patient-specific safety parameters, such as a specific absorption
rate (SAR), are determined for the pending medical imaging
examination.
[0005] Conventionally, determination of the patient-specific safety
parameter has been based on a cylinder model, with one cylinder
respectively representing each region of the body, such as, for
example, the head, the torso, etc. here.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide simple and
precise determination of patient-specific safety parameters for a
medical imaging examination on a patient.
[0007] The invention encompasses a method for determining at least
one patient-specific safety parameter for a medical imaging
examination on a patient, wherein the medical imaging examination
is carried out by a medical imaging apparatus, having the following
steps.
[0008] Position data of the patient are acquired with a position
data acquisition detector. For this purpose the patient is
positioned on a patient-positioning device of the medical imaging
apparatus.
[0009] The acquired position data are transmitted to a safety
parameter determining processor.
[0010] Position information of the patient is determined by the
safety parameter determining processor using the acquired position
data.
[0011] A patient-specific safety parameter is determined, using the
position information of the patient, by the safety parameter
determining processor.
[0012] As used herein, a patient-specific safety parameter means a
safety parameter that embodies a safety value as a function of the
patient-specific data, such as the patient's height, the patient's
position, the patient's weight, etc. The safety parameter is a
parameter relevant to the safety of the patient during the medical
imaging examination. The patient-specific safety parameter can be,
for example, a specific absorption rate and/or heat radiation
during the medical imaging examination on the patient and/or a
collision probability of the patient with the enclosure (wall
surface) of the scanner during the medical imaging examination,
etc.
[0013] The position data acquisition detector preferably is a
camera, for example a 2D camera or a 3D camera. The medical imaging
apparatus can be a magnetic resonance apparatus or a computed
tomography apparatus or a PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
apparatus, etc.
[0014] The ascertained position information can be, for example, a
position of the patient on the patient-positioning device and/or an
orientation of the patient on the patient-positioning device and/or
an exact position of the patient on the patient-positioning device
and/or a surface image of the patient. Furthermore, the position
information of the patient can include a patient model. The
position information can be determined using position data of a
portion of the patient to be examined. Alternatively, the position
information can also be determined using position data from the
entirety of the patient, so exact determination of patient-specific
safety parameters, such as determination of a specific absorption
rate and/or heat radiation during the medical imaging examination
on the patient, is possible.
[0015] The present invention enables particularly simple and
optimally precise determination of patient-specific safety
parameters, for example a specific absorption rate and/or heat
radiation during the medical imaging examination on the patient
and/or a collision probability of the patient during the medical
imaging examination etc., for a pending medical imaging device.
This advantageously increases the safety of the patient during the
medical imaging examination.
[0016] Due to the position information that is incorporated in the
patient-specific safety parameter, the medical imaging examination
can be configured more efficiently and more safely because
particularly precise position information for determining the
patient-specific safety parameter is available, thereby enabling
particularly precise planning of the medical imaging examination.
The medical imaging examination can be planned so as to be precise
in terms of voxels, and a time-optimized examination protocol can
be provided for the medical imaging examination thereby. The
scanning time of the medical imaging examination can be reduced as
a result. This in turn contributes to the protection and/or
well-being of the patient during the medical imaging examination.
In particular, an examination procedure when examining children can
be specifically adapted to the height and/or position of the
children, and the examination time reduced thereby.
[0017] The operator of the imaging apparatus can also be assisted
during the medical imaging examination because additional items of
advice and/or instructions, in particular automated items of advice
or instructions, can be displayed for the operator and/or depicted,
due to the patient-specific safety parameter.
[0018] As noted, the position information can be a patient model,
which is used to determine the patient-specific safety parameter by
the safety parameter determining processor. This enables
particularly precise determination of the position information of
the patient on the patient-positioning device. The patient model
can be adapted very precisely to the actual anatomy of the patient
due to the determination of the patient model using the acquired
position data, and so the patient-specific safety parameter
ascertained therefrom can also be determined very precisely. The
patient model is preferably determined and/or calculated by means
of suitable image processing models.
[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the patient model
is determined as an Active Shape Model and/or a cylinder model. An
Active Shape Model (ASM) means a model that has multiple mutually
connected points, with these points describing a shape and/or a
profile and/or surface of the patient. For determining the surface
of the patient in the position data, first an average shape and/or
an average profile is incorporated in the position data and then
individual points of the model are iteratively dragged to form
edges in the surface image. Alternatively or additionally, the
patient model can be determined as a cylinder model, with the
cylinder model being fitted into the surface image and iteratively
adapted. As a result of this embodiment of the invention the
patient model can be approximated precisely and in a time-saving
manner to the patient's anatomy, so position information adapted to
reality is available for further determination of the
patient-specific safety parameter.
[0020] If the at least one patient-specific safety parameter
includes or is a specific absorption rate for the medical imaging
examination, the duration of the examination can be optimized
because the specific absorption rate can be determined accurately
for the pending medical imaging examination due to the position
data of the patient. The specific absorption rate is a measure of
how strongly the patient has been radiated with RF energy during a
magnetic resonance imaging examination, which makes use of RF
pulses during the medical imaging examination. The specific
absorption rate is based on limit values that, in the event of the
specific absorption rate potentially being exceeded, lead to the
insertion of non-radiating intervals in the scan, and thereby a
lengthening of the scanning time.
[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one
patient-specific safety parameter includes or is heat radiation on
the patient during the medical imaging examination. The patient
thus can be protected against excessive heat exposure during the
medical imaging examination and the safety of the patient can be
increased thereby. Excessive heat radiation can occur, for example,
when the distance between the patient and a surface of the scanner
is too small and/or with an excessively long period of irradiation
and/or excessively high irradiation energy.
[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one
patient-specific safety parameter includes or is a collision
probability of the patient with the enclosure of the
patient-receiving region of the scanner. In this way the safety of
the patient during the medical imaging examination can
advantageously be increased.
[0023] A value of the at least one patient-specific safety
parameter can be depicted at a display monitor, so a user and/or a
medical operator can obtain information and/or monitor the
patient-specific safety parameter. The user thus can be informed
directly about adherence to patient-specific safety parameters,
such as a collision probability and/or heat radiation.
[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one work
instruction and/or an item of advice is depicted at a display
monitor. In this way additional information, which is present due
to the acquired position data and/or the ascertained position
information and/or the ascertained patient-specific safety
parameter within the safety parameter determining unit, can be
displayed for a user. For example, situation information and/or
position information and/or the patient-specific safety parameter
can be communicated to the user. In particular, when a
patient-specific safety parameter is exceeded beyond a predefined
limit value the user can receive an instruction that can include,
for example, an interruption to the medical imaging examination
and/or a correction of a patient position, so adherence to limit
values for the patient-specific safety parameter can be
ensured.
[0025] The invention also encompasses a medical imaging apparatus
having a data acquisition scanner, a position-detecting detector
and a safety parameter determining processor, wherein the medical
imaging apparatus is designed to implement the method according to
the invention for determining at least one safety parameter for a
medical imaging examination on the patient of a patient, as
described above.
[0026] This enables particularly simple and optimally precise
determination of patient-specific safety parameters, for example a
specific absorption rate and/or heat radiation during the medical
imaging examination on the patient and/or a collision probability
of the patient during the medical imaging examination etc., for a
pending medical imaging device. Furthermore, this increases the
safety of the patient during the medical imaging examination.
[0027] The medical imaging examination can be configured more
efficiently and more safely due to the position information, which
is incorporated in the patient-specific safety parameter, since
very precise position information for determination of the
patient-specific safety parameter is used and this enables
particularly exact planning of the medical imaging examination. The
medical imaging examination can be planned so as to be precise in
terms of voxels, and a time-optimized examination protocol can
therefore be supplied for the medical imaging examination. The
scanning time of the medical imaging examination can be reduced as
a result. This in turn contributes to the protection and/or
well-being of the patient during the medical imaging examination.
In particular, an examination procedure when examining children can
be specifically adapted to the height and/or position of the
children and an examination time reduced thereby.
[0028] The medical apparatus operator can also be assisted during
the medical imaging examination because additional items of advice
and/or instructions, in particular automated items of advice or
instructions, can be displayed and/or depicted for the user due to
the patient-specific safety parameter.
[0029] The advantages of the inventive medical imaging apparatus
correspond to the advantages of the inventive method for
determining at least one patient-specific safety parameter for a
medical imaging examination on the patient, as have been stated
above in detail. Features, advantages or alternative embodiments
mentioned in this connection are applicable to the inventive
apparatus as well.
[0030] The position data acquisition detector can be at least one
camera that is arranged inside the patient-receiving region that is
at least partially surrounded by the scanner. This enables simple
detection of position data of the patient with respect to a
dimension and/or size of the patient-receiving region. An image of
an empty patient-receiving region can be supplied hereby, wherein
the empty patient-receiving region is patient-free. This can be
compared with the position data of the patient, so protection
against contact with a surface of the patient-receiving region can
be provided for the patient. A collision probability is determined
by the safety parameter determining processor using the position
data of the patient and the image data of the patient-receiving
region.
[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention the position data
acquisition detector is at least one camera that is arranged
outside of a patient-receiving region that is at least partially
surrounded by the scanner. This enables detection of the patient on
the patient-positioning device while position data of a region of
the body to be examined, or even the entire patient, are detected.
Particularly simple and inexpensive detection of position data can
be achieved if the position data acquisition detector is at least
one 2D camera and/or at least one 3D camera.
[0032] The invention also encompasses a non-transitory,
computer-readable data storage medium that can be loaded directly
into a memory of a programmable system control computer of a
medical imaging apparatus. The storage medium is encoded with
programming instructions s(program code) that cause the computer to
implement the method for determining at least one patient-specific
safety parameter for a medical imaging examination on the patient
in accordance with the invention when the program code is executed
in the system control computer. The programming instructions
require program means such as libraries and help functions, to
implement the corresponding embodiments of the method. The program
code can be a source code that has still to be compiled and
embedded or that only has to be interpreted, or an executable
software code that for execution, then only has to be loaded in the
computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an inventive medical
imaging apparatus.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the inventive
method for determining at least one patient-specific safety
parameter for a medical imaging examination on a patient.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a medical imaging apparatus 10.
In the exemplary embodiment the medical imaging apparatus 10 is
formed as a magnetic resonance apparatus. The embodiment of the
medical imaging apparatus 10 is not limited to a magnetic resonance
apparatus, however. The medical imaging apparatus 10 can be any
medical imaging apparatus that is considered reasonable to those
skilled in the art, such as, for example, a computed tomography
apparatus, a positron emission tomography apparatus, a C-arm
device, etc.
[0036] The apparatus 10 in the form of a magnetic resonance
apparatus comprises a data acquisition scanner 13, formed by a
magnet unit. The magnet unit of the scanner 13 has a
superconductive basic field magnet 14 for generating a strong and
constant basic magnetic field 15. In addition the scanner 13 has a
patient-receiving region 16 for receiving a patient 17. In the
exemplary embodiment the patient-receiving region 16 is cylindrical
and cylindrically surrounded in the circumferential direction by
the scanner 13. A different design of the patient-receiving region
16 is conceivable. The patient 17 can be moved by a
patient-positioning device 18 into the patient-receiving region 16.
The patient-positioning device 18 has for this purpose an
examination table 19 designed to move within the patient-receiving
region 16.
[0037] The scanner also has a gradient coil arrangement 20 for
generating magnetic field gradients that are used for spatial
encoding during imaging. The gradient coil arrangement 20 is
controlled by means of a gradient control processor 21 of the
magnetic resonance apparatus. The scanner 13 also has a
radio-frequency (RF) antenna 22 for exciting nuclear spins of the
patient 17. So as to deviate from the polarization that is
established in the basic magnetic field 15. The radio-frequency
antenna 22 is controlled by a radio-frequency antenna control
processor 23 and radiates radio-frequency magnetic resonance
sequences into the patient-receiving region 15 of the scanner
13.
[0038] For controlling the basic field magnet 14 the gradient
control processor 21 and the radio-frequency antenna control
processor 23, the magnetic resonance apparatus has a system control
computer 24. The system control computer 24 centrally controls the
magnetic resonance apparatus, such as to execute a predetermined
imaging gradient echo sequence. Furthermore, the system control
computer 24 has an evaluation processor (not shown) for evaluation
of medical image data that are acquired during the magnetic
resonance examination. The magnetic resonance apparatus also has a
control console 25 that is connected to the system control computer
24. Control information, such as, for example, imaging parameters,
and reconstructed magnetic resonance images, can be displayed on a
depiction unit 26, for example on at least one monitor, of the
control console 25 for a user, such as a medical operator. The
control console 25 also has an input unit 27 via which information
and/or parameters can be entered by the medical operator during a
scanning process.
[0039] The system control computer 24 has, in accordance with the
invention, a safety parameter determining processor 28. The system
control computer 24 also has a memory (not shown) and a main
processor (not shown).
[0040] The system control computer 24 is arranged together with the
control console 25, gradient control processor 21 and
radio-frequency antenna control processor 23 inside a control room
29. The scanner 13 is situated inside an examination room 30, with
the examination room 30 preferably being shielded outwardly and
inwardly in order to shield against disruptive effects that can
affect a medical imaging examination and be caused by the medical
imaging apparatus 10. The examination room 30, in an embodiment of
the medical imaging apparatus 10 as a magnetic apparatus, is
shielded with respect to magnetic fields as well as against
electromagnetic radiation, in particular radio-frequency
radiation.
[0041] The medical imaging apparatus 10 (the magnetic resonance
apparatus) also has a position-detecting detector 31 that is inside
the examination room 30. The position-detecting detector 31
comprises a first camera 32 which is arranged inside the
patient-receiving region 16. The first camera 32 has an acquisition
region 35 that covers an insertion opening of the patient-receiving
region 16.
[0042] The position-detector 31 also has a second camera 33
situated outside of the patient-receiving region 16. The second
camera 33 is preferably arranged on a ceiling of the examination
room 30, such that an acquisition region 34 of the second camera 33
is directed toward a region that adjoins the front of the medical
imaging apparatus 10.
[0043] The acquisition regions 34, 35 of the first camera 32 and
the second camera 33 are regions within which acquisition of camera
data, in particular position data, can be acquired. In the
exemplary embodiment, the first camera 32 and the second camera 33
are each formed by a 2D camera and/or a 3D camera.
[0044] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the
position-detector 31 can have just one camera, or more than two
cameras.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows a sequence of an inventive method for
determining at least one patient-specific safety parameter for a
medical imaging examination on a patient 17. The medical imaging
examination is implemented by the medical imaging apparatus 10, in
the exemplary embodiment by the magnetic resonance apparatus. The
method is controlled and implemented by the safety parameter
determining processor 28. For this purpose the safety parameter
determining processor 28 has the required software and/or computer
programs stored in the memory (not shown) of the system control
computer 24. To implement the method the software and/or computer
programs is/are executed by the processor (not shown) of the system
control computer 24.
[0046] In a first method step 100, position data of the patient 17
are acquired by the position data acquisition detector 31, in
particular by the first camera 32 and/or the second camera 33. For
this purpose, the patient 17 is already positioned on the
patient-positioning device 18, in particular on the examination
table 19. In a subsequent method step 101 the acquired position
data are transmitted from the position data acquisition detector 31
to the safety parameter determining processor 28 by a data
transmission unit (not shown).
[0047] In a further, subsequent method step 102 the acquired
position data are evaluated, and position information of the
patient 17 is determined, by the safety parameter determining
processor 28 using the acquired position data. The position
information can represent a position and/or orientation of the
patient 17 on the patient-positioning device 18, in particular on
the examination table 19. The position information preferably
represents a position of the patient 17 on the patient-positioning
device 18, in particular on the examination table 19 of the
patient-positioning device 18.
[0048] The patient information preferably represents a patient
model that is calculated using the acquired position data by means
of the safety parameter determining processor 28. Using the patient
model, an image and/or a model of the patient 71 is created and a
position and/or orientation and/or situation of the patient 17 on
the patient-positioning device 18, in particular the examination
table 19 of the patient-positioning device 18, is determined as
precisely as possible. The patient model is determined by an Active
Shape Model and/or a cylinder model by the safety parameter
determining processor 28. A provisional patient model is
iteratively adjusted in this connection until there is the best
possible match with anatomy of the patient 17.
[0049] Using the position information of the patient 17, the
patient-specific safety parameter is determined by the safety
parameter determining processor 28 in a further method step 103.
The patient-specific safety parameter preferably is a specific
absorption rate. In this way the specific absorption rate for the
medical imaging examination can be ascertained and/or determined on
the basis of optimally precise patient data, in particular the
determined patient models. Thus safety tolerances, which are
conventionally used due to roughly estimated patient data and that
increase the scanning time of the medical imaging examination, are
not needed.
[0050] In addition to the specific absorption rate, the
patient-specific safety parameter can be heat radiation on the
patient 17 during the medical imaging examination. The heat
radiation on the patient 17 is also dependent, inter alia, on the
distance of the patient 17 from the enclosure 36 of the
patient-receiving region 16 during the medical imaging examination.
Heat irradiation on the patient 17 can also be dependent on the
choice of sequence and/or further scanning parameters of the
medical imaging examination.
[0051] A further patient-specific absorption parameter can be a
collision probability of the patient 17 with the enclosure 36 of
the patient-receiving region 16 when the examination table 19 is
moved into the patient-receiving region 16. Data obtained by the
first camera 32, which is arranged inside the patient-receiving
region 16, can be used for this purpose. For a comparison, the
safety parameter determining processor 28 compares an image of the
patient 17 on the examination table 19 just before the examination
table 19 is moved into the patient-receiving region 16, with an
image of an empty patient-receiving region 16, and the collision
probability can be ascertained therefrom. The empty
patient-receiving region is preferably patient-free. The image of
the empty patient-receiving region 16 can be stored in the memory
of the system control computer 24, or have been acquired by the
first camera 32.
[0052] In a subsequent, but optional, method step 104, at least one
of the determined patient-specific safety parameters is depicted
for a user by the depiction unit, so the user can always monitor
the patient-specific safety parameter. Furthermore, at least one
item of advice and/or at least one work instruction is depicted
and/or otherwise presented by the depiction unit 26 for the user in
the method step. The at least one item of advice and/or the at
least one work instruction can be, for example, a safety warning if
a limit value for a patient-specific safety parameter is exceeded,
for example with respect to a possible collision of the patient 17
with the enclosure 36 of the patient-receiving region 16 and/or
with respect to excessive heating of the patient 17 during the
medical imaging examination, etc. Furthermore, the at least one
item of advice or the at least one work instruction can also
comprise a request for a work instruction, such as, for example, a
repositioning of the patient 17 due to a potential risk of
collision of the patient 17 when the patient 17 is moved into the
patient-receiving region 16 and/or owing to excessive heating of
the patient 17 due to an inadequate distance of the patient 17 from
the enclosure 36 of the patient-receiving region 16.
[0053] Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those
skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody
within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as
reasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution
to the art.
* * * * *